Hollis Hatfield has been deeply immersed in Sanibel’s unique environment this year through internships with the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society and the SCCF Sea Turtle Program. Originally from Raleigh, N.C., Hatfield earned her master’s degree in wildlife conservation and management from the University College Dublin in Ireland. 

Hatfield had past experiences learning about loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).  At SCCF she was thrilled to have “the opportunity to work with an additional sea turtle species—the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).

“Although I will always be partial to loggerheads, it has been interesting learning about the life history and nesting strategies of green turtle mamas,” she says.

In 2020, during her communications and development internship with the Wildlife Society, she quickly fell in love with Sanibel.

“I feel very blessed that I have been able to extend my time here as an SCCF intern,” Hatfield says. “I hope to continue aiding in coastal conservation, and I believe that the experience I gained with the SCCF will prepare me to be successful in this field.” 

Photo by Sam Warren